STRATFORD DISTRICT PAGE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1926, Page 10

STRATFORD DISTRICT PAGE

Telephone Nos. 152 Office 218 Private

Telephone Nos. 152 Office 218 Private

(FROM OUR RESIDENT REPORTERS)

CHRISTMAS TRADE. PREPARATIONS FOR FESTIVAL. THE TREND OF PRICES. As is usual at this time of the year, evidences of coming festivities have begun to appear in the tradespeople’s windows to remind the public that to do Christmas, shopping successfully it must be done early. Display cases and windows are now taking on a brighter appearance, and attractive gifts are displayed prominently. Monstrous boxes of chocolates and usual and unusual chocolate novelties are in evidence in confectioners’ windows, attractive books, ornaments and views in booksellers, useful gifts in the fancy goods shops, and, of paramount importance, toys in the toy shops. Many’ are the novelties in confectionery which are displayed this year. Among the best are the chocolate dogs manufactured by a famous English firm. The remarkably life-like, mischievous expressions on the chocolate faces immediately attract attention. Aeroplanes filled with sweets and baby’s milk bottles made of chocolate are other new' shapes on the market this season. A whole crop of new shapes and designs in pokerwork and calendars have appeared, and a large number of new and interesting views of Taranaki have been released.— Displays of exquisitelycoloured miniatures also attract much attention among the shoppers. A leading confectioner of the town, in conversation with a News reporter, stated that though sweets and novelties would not be dearer this year, no reduction was likely to take place. He remarked that it was strange that people would pay very much higher prices for English than for Colonial chocolates, even those of similar quality. It was rather extraordinary, too, that some Australian chocolates were as cheap as New Zealand. This was because of the fact that bulk chocolate manufacture allowed of smaller profits for the maker. The attractions of toyland are, naturally, keenly inspected by the crowds of youngsters, and the entrancing contents of toy shops are subjected to the keen- ■ est scrutiny and conjecture. To the

parents of the growing children there will be satisfaction in the knowledge that toys generally will be cheaper this year than was the ease last Christmas. A retailer interested largely in this class of goods said yesterday that the average price of toys, mechanical devices and novelties would be about 10 per cent, less than ruled a year ago. This year, fresh markets have opened up a wider variety of ingenious toys, including more substantial articles" such as tricycles, rocking-horses, etc. All these are cheaper than last year. Soon after the opening of this year the price of chinaware, glassware, chrystals, etc., dropped slightly, but the influence of the coal strike at Home lias caused these articles to harden on the market, ami buyers will find that they are required to pay similar prices to those obtaining before the drop. Generally speaking the articles are of splendid manufacture, and many unique designs are to be found on retailers’ shelves, which in themselves provide a happy hunting ground for seekers of beautiful Christmas presents. BUILDING PROGRESS. During the month of November the building permits issued by the borough engineer amounted to £4lOO. A concrete shop being erected for the firm of Robinson and Pope in Broadway, next to the Public Trust Office, is to cost £l3OO, and two dwellings at £9OO each and one at £750 also appear in the list of permits. An extension to a sample room will cost £lOO and a shed being erected on the Stratford Technical Higli School grounds £l5O. POPULAR OFFICER FAREWELLED. The staff of the Stfatford Public Works Office met yesterday morning to say farewell to Mr. N. C. Fookes, who is leaving to take up the position of engineer to the Clifton County Council. In the absence of Mr. T. M. Ball, district engineer, Mr. C. H. Lawm, office engineer, on behalf of the assembled staff, presented Mr. Fookes with a leather attache case.. In doing this, Mr. Lawn mentioned that the recipient had been on the local staff as draughtsman

for over seven years, and, during that time, the relations between him and his fellow officers had been of the best. He also stated Mr. Fookes had carried out his Work with ability and had received during the period a theoretical training which went toward fitting him for his future calling, and on behalf of the staff asked Mr. Fookes to accept their best wishes for his future success. Mr. Fookes suitably replied, thanking the officers for their gift and kindly' I wishes. I GENERAL ITEMS. A great amount of show stock arrived in Stratford yesterday and was taken to the showgrounds. A large number of farmers and visiting breeders arrived by train and ’bus throughout the day, and there is every indication that the show to-day and to-morrow will be exceptional in every way. The vital statistics for November show an increase over the 1925 figures. The details arc as follows, the figures for November, 1925, being given in parentheses: Births 22 (14); deaths 7 (3); marriages 6 (1). The following team has been selected to play for the Stratford Tennis Club against the Methodist Club, at the Stratford courts next Saturday: Mrs. Weston, Miss Mackay, Miss Martin, Mrs. Carroll, Messrs. Chadwick, Wilson, Curtis and Lawrence. Flags were flown on the Government Buildings in Stratford yesterday in observance of St. Andrew’s Day. Judging by the appearance of the machinery which was taken to the showgrounds yesterday, the industrial exhibits at the show will be most up-to-date and interesting. The wiring inspector, Mr. A. E. Moss, reports that the re-wiring of the borough is now half completed. PERSONAL ITEMS. The Rev. Percy Wiltshire has been offered and has accepted a position on the staff of All Saints’ Church, Palmerston North. He leaves Stratford to take up his new duties early in the New Year.